On 15 April 1912, the world encountered one of the most devastating disasters- sinking of the Titanic ship after it struck an iceberg. Of all the survivors, the most astounding story is of the chief baker of RMS Titanic named Charles Joughin. He was one of the last people aboard the ship before it sank completely.
Charles Joughin was off duty and resting in his cabin when the collision occurred. After scrutinizing the surroundings, he knew that the staff lacked leadership and thus he decided to take charge immediately. His first move was to ensure that the lifeboats have enough food supply so that they can survive until they are rescued.
In order to remain calm during the chaos, Charles went back to his room and consumed liquor. To numerous people, Charles was just a drunk baker on the Titanic but he played a vital role in saving many lives. He refused a seat in the lifeboat as there was a limitation and even forced certain reluctant members to acquire seats on the lifeboats saving their lives. Furthermore, he also threw
chairs overboard in the hope that they would serve as floatation devices after getting another drink from his cabin.
In an inquiry, he told that he had no shock when the ship broke in two parts and he was standing on the stern. The feeling of water immersion as described by Titanic’s second officer; Charles Lightoller is “like a thousand knives being driven into one’s body.” Many people could not make it past this phase but Charles Joughin continued paddling for hours until he found a lifeboat that was full and he had to wait for another one to be rescued.
The question that has remained unanswered is that how could a man survive in such low temperatures of the Arctic Ocean and could escape hypothermia when a drunk person is supposed to be trapped faster than a sober man.
